Trucks at the Palace

The famous Oakland Roadster Show is now called the Grand National Roadster Show -- we're sure you've heard of its 55-year-long heritage. Over the past decade, what was the Oakland Roadster Show has gone through changes in ownership and locations, from the Oakland Coliseum, to its parking lot, to downtown San Francisco, to the Cow Palace, to San Mateo, and finally to the Pomona Fairgrounds this year. We have reported that the Grand National Roadster show will stay in Pomona for 2005 and the near future.

Several years ago, Rick Perry, long associated with Show Promotions and the late Donald Tognotti, reintroduced a hot rod and custom car show in the Oakland Coliseum. The area's car lovers warmly embraced the Oakland Rod, Custom, and Motorcycle Show. Last year, Perry announced this show would also move to the Cow Palace. With more than 300,000 square feet and a 10-year, dates-locked-in contract, the show will become the San Francisco Rod, Custom, and Motorcycle Show.

Perry and family have been deep in San Francisco Bay Area car shows for decades and were determined to continue the tradition of a Bay Area custom car show. Plus, the opportunity to keep a hot rod and custom car show alive for the next generation brings a good deal of satisfaction to Rick Perry and certain pleasure to Bay Area showgoers.

The famous Oakland Roadster Show has evolved, as many business ventures do. But with Perry's show slogan, "You have to go to San Francisco to see Oakland," we can rest assured that the new show's future is in good hands.

The Cow Palace has been home to many major car shows in decades past, including the 50th Grand National Roadster show, and now thanks to Perry and family, and the tradition-aware management of the facilities, we're certain this show has found a good home and will go on for many years to come.

With our visit to this inaugural event, we were very excited about the reestablishment of a permanent Bay Area location to showcase fantastic custom classic trucks. For the 2005 dates, check out www.rpprodinc.com, and start making plans now.